Taxi and private-hire car (PHC) drivers in Singapore can continue to supplement their incomes with delivery services for another three more months.

This was revealed by Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan in a Facebook post on May 23.

Regulations originally liberalised till June

Point-to-point regulations were temporarily liberalised in end-March to provide some form of aid for taxi and PHC drivers, which have seen their customers and income drop dramatically during this period of circuit breaker isolation.

The relaxing of rules allow drivers to make food and grocery deliveries.

This also helps to address the shortage in slots for delivery services, especially as demand for home deliveries rise.

This temporary liberalisation originally extended till June.

Extended for three more months

However, in light of the new developments regarding the easing of Singapore's circuit breaker measures and the reopening of the economy, Khaw has shared that the temporary liberalisation of regulations would be extended for another three months till the end of Sep. 2020.

This is because Khaw expected demand for home deliveries to remain high.

"My sense is that it has become a new norm for many, including my family," he said.

With this extension, the over 10,000 taxi and PHC drivers currently can continue supplementing their income with deliveries, and meet the needs of delivery services and providers—basically "a win-win all round".

During this period, Khaw assured people that the government would closely monitor on-the-ground to ensure commuters requiring rides are not marginalised.

You can view Khaw's post here.

End of circuit breaker

The government recently announced that circuit breaker would be ending, but this does not equate to an immediate return to normalcy.

On June 2, Phase 1 (Safe reopening) would commence.

Workplaces in more crucial industries such as manufacturing would reopen, alongside hairdressers and barbers.

Although offices can reopen, telecommuting should remain the main mode of work and those who have been working from home should ideally continue to do so.

Retail outlets will remain closed and dining-in is not allowed.

Each household is allowed to receive one visit per day, with a maximum of two persons from the same visiting household.

Schools, with the exception of polytechnics and universities, will also be reopening to its graduating cohorts.

Phase 1 is expected to last at least a month.

Top photo from LTA / FB